If a man is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault, for God made all men to be happy.
EpictetusIt’s time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become.
EpictetusOur duties naturally emerge form such fundamental relations as our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, our state or nation. Make it your regular habit to consider your roles-parent, child, neighbor, citizen, leader-and the natural duties that arise from them. Once you know who you are and to whom you are linked, you will know what to do.
EpictetusTo accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.
EpictetusNo matter where you find yourself, comport yourself as if you were a distinguished person.
EpictetusAn ignorant person is inclined to blame others for his own misfortune. To blame oneself is proof of progress. But the wise man never has to blame another or himself.
EpictetusIf you think you control things that are in the control of others, you will lament. You will be disturbed and you will blame both gods and men.
EpictetusWatch yourself as you go about your daily business and later reflect on what you saw, trying to identify the sources of distress in your life and thinking about how to avoid that distress.
EpictetusConsider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.
EpictetusIt is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control. Nothing is by its own nature calamitous -- even death is terrible only if we fear it.
EpictetusIt is not he who gives abuse that affronts, but the view that we take of it as insulting; so that when one provokes you it is your own opinion which is provoking.
EpictetusAnd be silent for the most part, or else make only the most necessary remarks, and express these in few words. But rarely, and when occasion requires you to talk, talk, indeed, but about no ordinary topics. Do not talk about gladiators, or horseraces, or athletes, or things to eat or drink - topics that arise on all occasions; but above all, do not talk about people, either blaming, or praising, or comparing them.
EpictetusWhoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
EpictetusDo nothing in a depressed mood, nor as one afflicted, nor as thinking that you are in misery, for no one compels you to that.
EpictetusI must die. I must be imprisoned. I must suffer exile. But must I die groaning? Must I whine as well? Can anyone hinder me from going into exile with a smile? The master threatens to chain me: what say you? Chain me? My leg you will chain--yes, but not my will--no, not even Zeus can conquer that.
EpictetusIn prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.
EpictetusDo not strive for things occurring to occur as you wish, but wish the things occurring as they occur, and you will flow well.
EpictetusWe need to regularly stop and take stock; to sit down and determine within ourselves which things are worth valuing and which things are not; which risks are worth the cost and which are not. Even the most confusing or hurtful aspects of life can be made more tolerable by clear seeing and by choice.
EpictetusOne that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
EpictetusIt is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance
EpictetusWhat is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.
EpictetusThe wise realize that some things are within their control, and most things are not. They learn early on to distinguish between what they can and can't regulate.
EpictetusFrom now on practice saying to everything that appears unpleasant: You are merely an appearance and NOT what you appear to be.
EpictetusIf someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the accusations, but reply; "you obviously don't know about my other vices, otherwise you would have mentioned these as well
EpictetusIt was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting word -- on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus put an end to the fray.
EpictetusIt takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.
EpictetusDon't be concerned who is watching you. The triumphs and merits of others belong to them - as do yours to you. Make the most of what you've got.
EpictetusIt has been ordained that there be summer and winter, abundance and dearth, virtue and vice, and all such opposites for the harmony of the whole, and (Zeus) has given each of us a body, property, and companions.
EpictetusRenew every day your conversation with God: Do this even in preference to eating. Think more often of God than you breathe.
EpictetusNever depend on the admiration of others for self-satisfaction. It is a fact of life that other people, even people who love you, will not necessarily agree with your ideas, understand you always, or share your enthusiasms.
EpictetusRemember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around it comes to you; stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on; do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet; do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you. So act toward children, so toward a wife, so toward office, so toward wealth.
EpictetusHappiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.
Epictetus